Sunday, March 4, 2012

Crinkle and Fanfare

Like I mentioned in my Friday's post, the whole reason I went to the store on Thursday night was to pick up the Crinkle chiffon skirt. I have tried it before and I quite liked i, just did not want to pay $118 for this, after all, pretty basic skirt.

last time around

I called the store to put size 6 and 8 on hold for me since it was now on sale for $79.99.

Size 8

But after I tried it on again, when it came to pulling out my wallet I was not too eager, after all.

It looked OK with tucked in navy t-shirt and neon belt.

Size 6

But that was the only way I could think of wearing it. It did not worked with button downs (see below with Fanfare popover) or untucked tops. It made me feel fussy. And the combination of grosgrain ribbon waistband and gathered pleats gave me the high love handles. I was not willing to part with my cash to feel like a stuffed sausage.

So no, I did not buy the crinkle chiffon skirt. Btw, the shoes I am wearing look like Valentinas, but they are navy patent Bandolino shoes that I picked up at Lord & Tailor for $24.99. I don't see them on L&T site but you can view them HERE. They had them on sale for $49.99 plus 50% off (and you could get extra 20% off if you have L&T CC).

Fanfare pullover

I did like the Fanfare popover. The print looks great in navy. It fits TTS with an oversized fit. Personally, that's how I like popovers.

Tucked in

It is a little sheer but not too bad. It works tucked in. But you can also see that the skirt doesn't do me any favors. It looks rather dumpy imo.

Popover size Medium, skirt size 6,

With Hutton
Chinos

I prefer it untucked.

Satisfied with how it looks :)

Thumbs up!
I have to remember, there are NO button downs (or popovers!) on my shopping list. Be strong! Resist!

I know, everybody and their mother has tried on this dress, but so can I.

I love the retro silhouette

Too short. About 2-3 inches? I think this style should not be longer than just above the knee cup (like on Audreybella here) but this is too short for my style. Otherwise, perfect! I couldn't believe how much I liked it. If you are shorter and/or younger I'd say go for it!

24 comments:

I really like the Fanfare items on you. I might have to revisit the Fanfare popover! I can't stop laughing at your "stuffed sausage" comment because these are things I say in my head when I'm trying things on. Too funny. Thanks for sharing these pictures!!!

The Crinkle Chiffon skirt is lovely on you, but I do think that fabric does limit what you can wear on top. I loved the Fanfare Jules dress, too, but the length was too short for me, also...it hit my leg in the same spot as it does your leg. The dress is actually shown longer on the model than it was on me, which does not make any sense because I am sure she is taller than 5'-7". A little deceptive, JCrew.

I felt the same way about the crinkle skirt. But, I also felt that way last year about the Jardin skirt and I ended up buying one last week anyway (but for the very marked down price of $39.99). I guess I think that style is fine but not great. I am trying to learn NOT to buy when I have that feeling, but am obviously a slow learner. On the other hand, I went way large on the skirt -- I am a 0 in JC pencil skirts but bought a 6 in the Jardin b/c it was the only single Jardin in any color and size on the sale racks. That avoids the sausage :) and it sits nicely just on my hips.

Did you get the Fanfare popover? I tried it too, and got it. I tried it on when it first came out and felt like it was going to make it to sale, so I didn't full-price-love-it, but did sale-like-it. I think it looks great on you, so easy, yet polished. I think the navy is the best color for the fanfare -- weird that it came in so many shades (black dress, navy popover, lighter navy cardigan, medium blue skirt), I don't recall JC doing that in the past.

The Jules dress -- I tried that too! I feel like the black/white combo is a little too much -- it's not an especially "pretty" print and I felt it looked too busy. Which is a weird thing for me to say b/c I ended up buying the Jules dress in the ASHBURY FLORAL, and it can't get more "too much" than that! I hated, HATED, that ashbury print at first but weirdly, it grew on me. It is even shorter than the fanfare Jules, but I am only 5'2" with a very short torso so I feel like it covers a decent amount of leg...

audrey, yes sizing up helps, I wear size 4 in pencil skirt but the crinkle chiffon skirt still just fitted me in size 8. I really liked the Fanfare popover but I just don't need another buttoned shirt, I have too many as it is. Funny about the Ashbury print, but ikwym. When I saw it first time I thought it was garish, but after seeing the skirt on ABC I started changing my mind about it. The thing I am afraid of, is that other people that would see us would not have the time foo adjustment and they may just think it ugly.

I agree with you that the crinkle chiffon doesn't do you any favor, it was a good call to pass. BUT the Fanfare dress looks great (it doesn't look too short to me but I understand), and so does the popover. I am still shocked that the items of the Fanfare print family went on sale so early, maybe be they should have waited a rollout or two to put them on the shelves and they would have sold more FP, it is such a beautiful print for summer...

Thanks Ema, I think recently J.Crew came up with quite a few items at the wrong time and then of course it does not sell that well. For example the royal paisley skirt or the Gallerista skirt were too early, and the Fanfare print is probably another example. The new pencil skirt with the paisley/floral design on the other hand does not read spring but more like fall and they may sell less because of that.

I think that the dress and the popover look very flattering on you!!I tried that dress on so many times in different patterns and it never worked for me!! I respect though that you feel it is too short, but I didn't see that. I would not let that popoever pass you by there are so many options with that top. Thanks for reassuring me about my sizing question!! Have a great Monday!!!!

I think you made the right call on the crinkle skirt. I had that same feeling as you. The popover is really cute and fun for spring and summer. I love the Jules dress and honestly don't think it looks too short on you either. Maybe even if it wouldn't feel comfortable for daytime, it would be lovely for a night out? Just sayin' ;) That said, if you don't feel comfortable in it, then it's not worth any money. I do sort of wish the dress would have been navy, but black stiill works out.

I think you made a good call to pass on the crinkle skirt - it's pretty but not all that versatile. On the other hand I agree with others that the Fanfare dress looks terrific on you. I love the Jules dress silhouette in general, but it's too short on me as well. I wish JC had come out with it in a 'tall' version.

Tall version would be perfect! And I am not even that tall so I am thinking the taller JCAs are really sized out as JCrewJD showed us when she tried the Ashbury print dress, it could hardly pass for a tunic. But maybe they just don't want to spend money on the little bit of extra fabric.

I echo almost everyone else - I think you look great in the jules dress. I think the shorter length plays off well with the looser overall fit and I don't think it looks "too" short on you.

I got my crinkle skirt last week because I've been wanting a chiffon-y skirt forever. I personally think it looks better when it sits a bit higher on the waist. I wore mine today but decided to tie my shirt instead of tuck it, because you're right, dependent on the shirt, it could look a bit weird tucked.

They just really made the Jules dresses too short. Too bad. I got the crinkle skirt in warm peacock and I'm so excited about it. Hope to put up pics...in this lifetime ;). The navy seems to be stalling in sale, so perhaps you can find it for cheap-a late-a.

I think I'm in the minority here but I love the crinkle chiffon skirt--I got it in the peacock and the navy and have already worn both several times! I've worn the peacock belted with a white buttondown and gold shoes, and the navy with the J Crew Floral Paintbox cardigan, and a little T-shirt with owls on it, and a white T-shirt with a red belt and the bright persimmon Mona pumps. Although a large part of my love for it is the ladylike swish when walking!

Hi Erica, I don't think anybody says that the crinkle skirt is bad per se, just that it doesn't look too good on me :)I think I have a problem with many high waisted full skirts because I don't have a well defined waistline. I loved the idea of this skirt and I am sure you can rock it, ladylike swish with Mona pumps, yes please!